Along with Daniels, Carey's guests included her twin 4-year-olds, Monroe and Moroccan. Their antics, including hugs, lap-climbing and yawning, sometimes threatened to upstage their Grammy-winning mother.

But Carey, 45, kept a smile on her face the whole time and was obviously pleased with the honor.

"Oh, my God, this is so overwhelming," she said.

The singer is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, with more than 200 million records sold, according to her website. Eighteen of her singles have hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.